Facile Synthesis Of Composition-Controllable PtPdAuTe Nanowires As Superior Electrocatalysts For Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Graphical Quaternary PtPdAuTe nanowires (NWs) with a rough surface were synthesized through a template method, and different atomic-ratio NWs were obtained by adjusting the amount of precursors. Electrochemical tests show that NWs have excellent activity for methanol oxidation. Multicomponent Pt-based nanowires (NWs) have attracted widespread attention as eletrocatalysts toward direct alcohol fuel cells because of their unique one-dimensional structure and high reaction dynamics. Quaternary PtPdAuTe NWs are designed via a facile template method, and NWs with a different composition are obtained by adjusting the feed ratio of metal precursors. The direct displacement reaction of metal precursors with Te NWs and the partial oxidation of Te lead to the formation of quaternary NWs. The rough surface and abundant reactive sites deriving from the rearrangement of metal atoms on the Te NWs surface endow the PtPdAuTe NWs with a superior electrocatalytic property and durability for methanol oxidation. The Pt 20 Pd 20 Au 10 Te 50 NWs display the largest mass activity and best stability among all catalysts. The preparation of PtPdAuTe NWs could provide a viable strategy for the preparation of other multicomponent NWs.